Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Preferred Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Cumulative Preference Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Retained Earnings [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Treasury Stock [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net (Gain) Loss Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Net of Tax	$ 10,976	$ 8,496	$ 22,964	$ 17,165
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period			(38,986)	(96,581)	4	4	4	4	659	752	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	240,584	250,928	4,600,217	4,282,316	(661,645)	(473,806)	(4,542,143)	(4,480,113)
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	99,623	100,935	258,293	187,239
Other comprehensive income	(40,552)	35,334	3,987	94,644															3,987	94,644
Cash dividends
Common ($0.375 per share)			(149,999)	(150,834)													(149,999)	(150,834)
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	(13)	(14)	26	29													(26)	(29)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued			(855)	5,734											(22,176)	(23,836)					21,321	29,570
Conversions to common stock			0	0					(6)	(11)					(124)	(244)					130	255
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			8,852	8,656											8,852	8,656
Balances, end of period	81,266	(1,169)	81,266	(1,169)	4	4	4	4	653	741	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338	227,136	235,504	4,708,485	4,318,692	(657,658)	(379,162)	(4,520,692)	(4,500,286)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method				(49,998)																		(49,998)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, beginning balance			83,952	137,521
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, beginning balance			(8,438)	(10,445)
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities, beginning balance			4,387	1,439
Accumulated net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans, beginning balance			(741,546)	(602,321)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), beginning balance			(661,645)	(473,806)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(53,267)	25,164	(19,908)	75,981
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	504	438	553	387
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities	1,235	1,236	378	1,111
Other comprehensive income	(40,552)	35,334	3,987	94,644															3,987	94,644
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments, ending balance	64,044	213,502	64,044	213,502
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives, ending balance	(7,885)	(10,058)	(7,885)	(10,058)
Accumulated net unrealized loss (gain) on investment securities, ending balance	4,765	2,550	4,765	2,550
Accumulated net unamortized (loss) gain on pension and postretirement plans, ending balance	(718,582)	(585,156)	(718,582)	(585,156)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), ending balance	$ (657,658)	$ (379,162)	$ (657,658)	$ (379,162)